Mary Lou (Troutman) Hedspeth was born on September 16, 1947 in Waynesville, Missouri to Norma (Weppner) Troutman and the late William Troutman. She departed this life June 20, 2013 in the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She had attained the age of sixty-five years, nine months and four days. Mrs. Hedspeth attended school in Houston, Missouri and graduated salutatorian of the 1965 class. Upon graduating from the University of Missouri in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics she was employed by the University of Missouri Extension Service in Douglas County, Missouri. Later she worked for Black’s Department Store and Fairview Manor Nursing Home in Birmingham, Alabama and as a land title abstractor. She was a home school educator for seven years. In 1972 she married her best friend and love of her life David Hedspeth in Houston, Missouri. In her younger years Mrs. Hedspeth enjoyed doing construction projects with her husband, sewing, reading and traveling. She supported South Missouri Baptist Assembly financially and with her talents as bookkeeper and other volunteer work. She also enjoyed working with children as crafts leader in Vacation Bible School and church camps. As a youth Mrs. Hedspeth was a member of Central Baptist Church in Houston and was active in the Girls Auxiliary mission group and achieved that organization’s highest office as Queen. She was active in 4-H Club and scouting and enjoyed entering exhibits in county fairs. In later life she was a Girls in Action leader and Sunday School Teacher at Green Valley Baptist Church in Hoover, Alabama and also at First Baptist Church of Van Buren where she has been a long time member. Mrs. Hedspeth is survived by her husband of forty-years, David Hedspeth of Van Buren; her mother, Norma Troutman of Houston; two brothers, Don Troutman and Ron Troutman both of Houston; three children; Sgt. Curtis Hedspeth of Fort Gordon, Georgia, Cecile Hedspeth Morelan and Cameron Hedspeth, both of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Dylan Williams, Zoe Cochran, Madelyn Hedspeth, Damien Hedspeth, Brian Hedspeth, Sabin Hedspeth, Arieanna Hedspeth and Merrick Hedspeth and many other relatives and friends who mourn her passing. A visitation for the public will begin at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 23, 2013 in the McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren, Missouri and the funeral service will be the following day beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the First Baptist Church with Rev. Ron Robinson officiating. Burial will be in the Van Buren City Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to South Missouri Baptist Assembly, P.O. Box 513, Van Buren, MO 6396